As I’ve removed many, many physical things from my immediate environment, I’ve found that a lot of worry, excuses and fear have been pulled away too. Not all though. And, as the make-doer that I am, I’ve found plenty of other things to occupy my time. Sometimes removing things brings peace and calm. I feel that when I walk into our less-is-more apartment after a long day at work. Often it removes distractions. Sometimes it removes distractions that you’ve been hiding behind. I found it so for me. With far fewer things to distract me from unsettling issues, worry or guilt, I became uncomfortable. I started using media like movies, TV shows or books to occupy my newfound time and “take my mind” off those unsettling thoughts. All this I did totally “minimally” since my distractions were self contained on my smartphone- no clutter! When I felt stress or pressured I would simply decide I needed some “me time” to recharge and refresh. But then later, the worries were still there and I simply had less time to handle them. Then when the movie, book or show was over, those uncomfortable feelings I was running away from reared their ugly heads again. What I was really doing was self-medicating for anxiety and stress. I see that now, but at the time I just thought I was so clever for making time for relaxation by removing stuff! Ah, sometimes the lies you tell yourself are hard to recognize.

I feel a bit sad and embarrassed to admit this all, but I also feel freer too. Now I know what I was doing. I understand it. Having that knowledge means I can tackle it! Yes! I’ve named the monster, now I can fight it. I am an adult (despite evidence to the contrary) and I have the tools to handle most of the issues causing these feelings and overcome them. Knowing that gives me hope and motivation. Do I like feeling this way? No! Can I change it? Yes. Now I just have to do it. I like logical. Often it makes things simple.

So let me ask you: Why do you distract yourself? What triggers the need to “chill?” Do you feel uncomfortable? Unsettled? Unhappy? Why? Is there anything you can do to solve the problems causing those feelings? Not a bandaid to cover it, but a surgery to fix it. If so, why haven’t you done that yet? Find that and maybe you’ll find the next step you need to take in your minimalism journey. We can do this.